[Storm59]

I booked our flights on Southwest Air and only found out AFTER about their first-come, first-seated rule. In other words, for those who don't know, they don't assign seats, you choose your own, so if you are in the back of the line your party is going to be split up all over the plane.

Fine, I understand that's why our flights were so cheap. But we're traveling with two children, 7 and 9 years old. I have two questions.

First, at 7 and 9 (and the 7 yr old could easily pass as a 5 yr old in looks) do we qualify for 'parents with small children please board first'? I know they're not infants, but they are extremely timid children, and if they had to be seated apart from us, they would most likely throw up in terror.

Second, the SW website gives you the option of printing out your boarding pass starting one minute after midnight on the day of your flight. Is it worth getting out of bed at midnight to do this? Do the boarding passes contain the lusted after "A" to get you into the first line?

For us to get to the airport 2 hours before the flight, which everyone who's flown SW recommends in order to get in the "A" line, would mean us leaving the house at 4:15 am at the latest. Which we can do, but if the printed out boarding passes contain the letters (A,B, or C) then we wouldn't feel so rushed. I just don't know if they have the line assignments on them or not.

(Picturing SW passengers panting beside their computers and printers, watching the clock and then frantically hitting the print button--reminds me of trying to get Eric Clapton tickets and calling in late to work to keep hitting that re-dial button!!)

Any help appreciated, even if you just try to calm me down!


Thanks....

[Disnyfan83]

We have only flown Southwest once (From N.C to Los Angeles over Spring Break.) The boarding passes did not have your line letter posted on them, so get to the Airport as early as possible. We were able to all sit together the first leg of our flight - we were near the back of line "A", but if you have to change flights, you then have to get in line at your next stop. Of course We were in line "C" then. We did have to split up, but it really wasn't a problem. My two kids sat together, and pretended they were on their own! As I recall, families with kids your age waited with everyone else - sorry. We really didn't have any trouble, and I would fly Southwest again.

[boucher0911]

We always fly southwest. Disneyfan is correct - get there early if you want to be among the first to board. I think anyone with kids over 3 has to wait with everyone else. Worst case you might have to split up - your DH with one child and you with the other. I think most passengers are kind enough to offer up their seats if your kids were going to be seperated from you. We are lucky that my son is only 20 mos so we get to board before everyone else (plus we don't have to pay for him to fly!). we'll enjoy that benifit for the next couple of years. The other thing I would reccomend is asking the SW employee when you get your boarding pass if there is anything they can do to get you on with the "A" group given your situation. It all depends on who you get...Some will work with you others will tell you to wait with everyone else. Good luck!

[Storm59]

As long as they allow us at to sit at least two and two, I'm fine with that, one child with one adult. I'm just worried they might split us up more than that. On our return flight we have to change planes and have only a 45 minute layover, so that's where we'll run into problems, I believe.

[woohoo]

here is a suggestion- use a wheelchair for your arthwritis- they will seat you first with the rest of the little ones! We have a baby so we get to get on early too!!!

[KarenT]

We flew SW in Dec. Pre boarding was for 4 and under only. My DD is 4 and I am pregnant so... we boarded early. My cousin works for SW and strongly recommeds checking in at 12:01 or as soon as possible. That way you are in the A seating and will be able to sit together. By the time you get to the airport, they are usually at B seats.
Good Luck!

[woohoo]

well I have woken up early for PS so I suppose that I can stay up late for A seating!

[disneyguy]

You CAN pre-board. Take advantage of it, and that way you are garunteed seats together.

[woohoo]

I called to see if my suitcase was too big and to ask about the A seating- she suggested that I call at 12am to get the A seating for the rest of my party but that we would have no issues since we have an infant - You have walking issues right? preboard with that-

[bethishooked]

I had the same concerns last year. It was my kid's first flight and they were the same ages as your kids. By the time we got there and processed everything, I was in tears because we were put in the B line. Everyone kept assuring me that we wouldn't get split up, and the passengers were great because many of them offered to give up their seats to keep us together. But, when we entered the plane, there were many seats remaining and we were able to sit 2 and 2 right in front of each other. That way, each kid got to have a window seat. I'm told you won't have problems unless you are in the C line. Southwest was a pleasure to deal with, including the stewardess who sang to everyone on the plane just after we landed.

Have a good trip!

[jmouse]

You CAN pre-board.

Southwest's preboarding is for parents with childen ages 4 and younger. Any extended family traveling with them must board in the A-B-C lines.

[Disneywife]

I have experienced more than once an airline that give you the hard time about possibly separating your family and not being able to sit with your child, leaving your child alone. More than once and I'm soooo tired of it. There should be NO issue about moving an adult away from his/her party so that a young child can sit with a parent. I don't care if I arrived at the gate dead last, I don't want to be told that my 4 year old might have to fend for himself on a 5 hour flight. And I have been told that. (United Airlines in Honolulu...we did arrive at our gate late (but not last) because our flight on Hawaiian was overbooked, and they moved us to United.) "Sorry, but you're all going to have to sit separately, that's all we have...." He's FOUR. I don't think so...I don't know why I was even told this or it was even an issue. An ADULT can be moved to accomodate an four-year old.

(And that's what did happen, but only after I threw a major, and embarrassing, hissy fit.)

Anyway, this is one of those reasons that I will not fly southwest. Their cattle-call approach to air travel is less than desireable. I shouldn't have to worry about my 9 year old sitting alone, let alone my 4 year old. It appalls me that parents have to worry about this.

[DisneyWorldFan]

I don't think you will have any problem sitting at least 2 and 2. Even if you board from the C line, if you speak with the stewardess and explain that your children are too young (7 and 9 is young) to sit with a stranger...ask her to request volunteers to move so that you can each sit with a child. This happened on my last flight with Southwest. Volunteers came forward. I'm sure they will again.

RELAX...you'll be fine.

[dznygrl]

Storm, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. I have always flown Southwest to WDW. It'll work out.

(1) Get there early---yes, this sounds redundant but it cannot be said enough. If you end up getting in the "A" or "B" seating category, you will have no problem whatsoever finding seats together.

(2) If you end up in "C" or still have problems finding seats together, explain your situation---the flight attendants are very understanding and will do their best to accommodate everyone.

In my personal experience, I see Southwest as LESS accommodating for business travelers, or those traveling alone. Those single travelers often get bounced around a bit, in order to free up seats for families to sit together.

[KarenT]

We were talking to a SW flight attendent about this very issue. She said they always try to accomodate passengers with small children. They atleast try for the two and two approach. She said it is amazing what a drink coupon will do!

My advice is get there early... check in on- line to get the A seating. It is alot easier to move people around before the plane gets full.

We have observed the sw flight attendents helping out families. They really do try.